Being A Patriot of The United States Of America

Sometimes I wonder what it is to be a true American. If our people remember all the lives that have died for their freedoms, and the sacrifices American families have suffered generation after generation. I never had a chance to serve in the military due to I was a girl, and in my generation I wasn't aloud to serve in combat, since then that has changed allowing women to fight in combat.

People want to fight about politics and religion, a "cultural war", a divided group of people across America debating on certain situations. Under the pledge of allegiance we are one nation under God. On the back of your dollar bill it says, "In God We trust". Anyone that has studied the history of America understands that God was part of the foundation of this country. It wasn't recorded through out time we would be an atheist nation. It is not in atheists we trust! It is not under a divided nation, but one nation!

Its amazing that when 9/11 happen people came together people stood by one another because the loss our country faced. Even Todd Beamer sacrificed his life for you. He didn't think about what side of the debate he was on, or what religion he was. He just knew to act now, before other people died.

Lisa Beamer, who is a committed Christian, writes in her book what she needed and received. Having received official confirmation from United Airlines that her husband had indeed died in the crash of Flight 93, Lisa’s spiritual friends swarmed to her side. “Rev. Bob Cushman, Todd’s and my pastor, was among the first to arrive, along with Dr. Al Hickok, the professional counselor at our church. They came upstairs and prayed with me” (Beamer, Let’s Roll!, p. 168).

A Christian sacrificed his life for yours. How many other Christians have done the same over the generations? How many Christians have been in the oval office over the generations and through out history? I think you have to realise your views may not match Christianity, but to disrespect those that have been Christians that have sacrificed their lives for yours should be appreciated, and honored, as much as the lives of non-believers. Someone paid a price for your freedom. If you can't remember that, than walk along the Vietnam wall in Washington at all the names that have died, and all the families that suffered.

My father was one of them that served in Vietnam. He didn't have a choice, he was drafted. I have sacrificed not having a father most of my life because the emotional affects this war had on him, because people in America didn't support the war. A war that the government put our soldiers their for no reason. I have a great uncle that is missing in action to this day because of the Korean War. I had a grandfather that served in WWII that was shot in the knee crawling across the dirt road scared out of his mind if he would survive that day. I can go on down the line of generations that have fought for this country generations before him in my own family. I just know one thing if there wasn't any God I wouldn't be standing here or even exist. As many generations in my family that were in wars what are the chances of me being here.

I also know that my grandfather taught me to be proud of my country, to stand up for what is right. He served many years with my grandmother serving the disabled veterans, putting flags out on all the military graves in our local cemeteries, worked on having military names placed on monuments and memorials in our area to remember those who died in the service.

I may not agree with my government being a social worker, or humanitarian, and have my own things I don't feel are right, but at the same time I know better than to disrespect the brothers and sisters I have in this country that have sacrificed many things in their own lives for the freedoms of the world and our country. When you dishonor our country, our government officials you are disrespecting everything this country has stood on for as long as its been the United States. Issues do have to be confronted, and yes you have the freedom to fight for your rights. I just don't believe that being a divided nation, being discriminating to others, being prejudice toward other peoples views and opinions are to constructive in making this a better country.

There is no reason why people can't choose more positive methods to make this a better country than bickering and arguing in forums on the Internet. Its not action, its just opinions and thoughts. There are many efforts and causes you can join to really make a better world and difference. My grandfather did this in his own community. How many veterans hospitals are there out there or vets that make a difference every day. How many other causes and organizations are lobbying and going up to bat for others rights and your rights.

What are you doing in your local government or community agencies and organizations to help other people out in America? Do something for the good of the people under one nation not a divided one! I often wonder if only military families truly understand what it is like to be a true American and patriot. I hear military families talking about all the sacrifices and hardships they have lived due to their men serving. I hope this is not the reality, but when I hear people bickering over religion and politics cut throating each other, its not what its about. Its about coming together working together to make a better country the same way people came together in 9/11, but of course the only time we feel the need to do that is when a tragedy strikes. You have options to write your senators, congressmen, and get involved in political campaigns. You have the choice to voice your opinions through different methods and lobbying. So make a difference and act, instead of just bickering and arguing!